17 Holiday Foods Not To Feed Dogs

Ham, especially canned ham, contains super-high levels of sodium. According to Douglas Mader, MS, DVM, DABVP (Canine & Feline Practice, Reptile & Amphibian Practice), DECZM, a veterinarian in the Florida Keys, canine consumption of ham can lead to: 

• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Weakness 
• Seizures 
• Kidney damage 
• Pancreatitis  

So whether it’s a Thanksgiving ham or a honey-baked ham at Christmas, “Keep the dog away from the ham!” Dr. Mader says.  

Dogs should never eat turkey stuffing, Dr. Mader warns. 

Stuffing consists of bread, butter, onions, and various spices that can cause major problems for your dog. (See below for the specifics.) 

Canine consumption of holiday stuffing will likely cause gastrointestinal problems and, in the worst-case scenario, could even result in death.  

Keeping booze away from pets seems like a no-brainer, but at least one or two of us have witnessed an over-imbibed guest at a holiday soiree attempt to sneak Fido a little sip. Funny? Not even a little. 

The ethanol and hops in beer, wine, and liquor cause intoxication, and in large amounts can lead to alcohol poisoning and be deadly. 

Dogs who consume alcohol may present with the following symptoms, according to Dr. Mader: 

• Vomiting 
• Disorientation 
• Elevated body temperatures 
• Anxiety 
• Panting 
• Seizures, in severe cases 

To make things more complicated, “many dogs are attracted to the sweet taste and smell [of alcohol],” says Alison Birken, DVM, owner of Victoria Park Animal Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Keep an eye on your dog and keep alcohol well out of reach. 

Less than 1 teaspoon of bread dough probably won’t cause issues, but anything more than that can be deadly, says Dr. Mader. 

The yeast in dough continues to rise in a dog’s stomach, causing potentially deadly pressure and bloating. On top of that, rising yeast also releases ethanol and leads to the same symptoms as those listed above for alcohol poisoning. 

As if internal pressure and ethanol poisoning isn’t enough, allergies are also an issue here.  Some dogs are allergic to dough ingredients (like wheat), and bread additives (like raisins) can also be toxic, Dr. Mader says. 

Buttery human foods aren’t the worst offenders when it comes to holiday foods not to feed dogs. However, they aren’t benign, says Dr. Mader. 

While not toxic, butter is high in fat and cholesterol. It’s best not to deliberately feed it to your pet. 

Consuming rich and fatty foods in general can cause problems in dogs, Dr. Birken adds. These problems range from an upset stomach to more serious illnesses such as pancreatitis. 

Pancreatitis produces excessive digestive enzymes that swiftly damage a dog’s intestinal tract—and, if not treated aggressively at a vet, death is likely, warns Dr. Mader. 

Symptoms include vomiting, pain, and dehydration—and may require hospitalization. 

Most pet owners know that chocolate is a huge no-no, and here’s why: Chocolate contains a molecule called theobromine, which is highly toxic even in small amounts—especially to small dogs.  

In extreme cases, chocolate consumption can lead to heart arrhythmias and be fatal. 

If a dog gets into chocolate, take them to the emergency vet immediately, says Dr. Mader. Supportive care, including induced vomiting, hydration support, and heart medications, may be needed. 

Symptoms of chocolate toxicity include: 

• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Rapid breathing 
• Elevated heart rate 
• Seizures 

Candy canes, cookies, popcorn, cranberry garlands, and candy in general are tempting for canines but can have serious consequences such as intestinal obstructions and upset stomach, adds Dr. Birken. 

And just because a candy is sugar-free doesn’t mean it’s safe. Xylitol, which is occasionally found in sugar-free candy or gum, is highly toxic in pets, says Nicole Savageau, VMD, a Austin, Texas-based veterinarian with The Vets. 

While technically not toxic to dogs, citrus fruits—including dried citrus fruits—can be dangerous when eaten in excess, warns Dr. Mader. 

If your dog wolfs down a small piece of orange or a wedge of lemon, they’ll probably be fine. But if they eat too much, they may get an upset stomach and/or indigestion.  

They may also experience skin and eye irritation due to the psoralen and limonene compounds found in citrus. 

Caffeine consumption in dogs has the same effect as chocolate (see above), and caffeine can raise blood pressure and cause fatal cardiac arrhythmia, says Dr. Savageau. 

The amount of caffeine that can cause toxicity depends on the size of the dog; how much caffeine is consumed; and the concentration of the caffeine, according to Dr. Mader.  

For example, if a 15-pound dog were to eat just 3 teaspoons of instant coffee, they would develop mild toxicity, while 10 teaspoons could be fatal. 

So, while a quick lick from a coffee mug is probably not an issue, if your dog has any more than that, take note of how much and what type of coffee your dog consumed, then take them to the vet or call the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661. 

Creamy foods and beverages are tasty for humans—but are strictly off-limits for dogs, as they can cause diarrhea and other digestive problems, and may be a food allergy trigger for some pets, says Dr. Savageau. 

Eggnog, in particular, is a toxic cocktail for pups due to the raw eggs and nutmeg. 

Raw eggs can cause poisoning from bacteria, like salmonella or E. coli. 

Nutmeg contains a compound called myristicin, which is toxic to dogs and can cause dry mouth, stomach upset, abdominal pain, and disorientation, says Dr. Mader. 

You can, however, make a dog-friendly eggnog this holiday season! 

File fatty foods and turkey skin (especially fried meats) under holiday foods not to feed your dog, please. These leave your pet susceptible to pancreatitis, according to Dr. Mader. 

Grapes and raisins  can cause acute kidney failure, which can come on quickly and lead to death, says Dr. Savageau. 

A reaction to grapes or raisins can be hard to predict. Even if your dog has eaten them in the past, that doesn’t mean they won’t have a future problem. 

It also doesn’t take a high dose to cause a response. Dr. Mader reports that, in some cases, dogs have had fatal reactions to as little as one grape. 

The signs of kidney failure brought about by the ingestion of grapes and raisins include: 

• Diarrhea 
• Vomiting 
• Abdominal pain 
• Dehydration 
• Weakness 
• Low urine output 

Please do not wait for these signs to occur. If your dog has eaten any amount of grapes or raisins, please immediately call your local veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline. 

Plain, cooked potatoes are safe for your dog, but we humans love to fill our holiday mash with spices, herbs, butter, and sour cream, and slather it with meat gravy. All of these extras are where we start to get into the risk of pancreatitis and the other issues listed above under Buttery Foods and Fatty Skin and Meat. 

Plus, raw potatoes contain a compound called solanine that can be toxic and lead to potato poisoning, according to Dr. Mader. 

Soft bones like rib bones—or bones from fish or poultry—can splinter when chewed and cause impactions and lacerations to the esophagus, stomach, and intestinal tract, says Dr. Mader. 

If you are going to give your dog a bone, make it a large, hard bone. Dr. Mader says hard bones that come from beef are generally safe, so long as they are fresh—with a few caveats.  

Watch your dog for signs of tooth injury, and remove the bone before it’s small enough to be swallowed or become a choking hazard. Beef bones or any other sudden changes in diet may also cause digestive problems. 

To be extra-safe, give your dog a bone specially prepared for dogs to chew, such as Bones & Chews roasted marrow bone. 

Macadamia nuts, which are prevalent in holiday cooking, are highly toxic and should never be fed to dogs.  

Other nuts should also be off-limits to dogs, not only because of their high fat content but also due to the possibility of mold contamination, says Dr. Mader. They may also pose a choking hazard. 

Typical signs that your dog may be sick after eating nuts are: 

• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Fever 
• Restlessness 
• Tremors or Seizures 

Onions, garlic, and chives are Alliums: a plant genus that contains N-propyl disulfide, which can impact a dog’s red blood cells and cause life-threatening anemia, says Dr. Mader. 

Symptoms of onion toxicity or poisoning in dogs include: 

• Vomiting 
• Diarrhea 
• Weakness or tiredness 
• Pale gums 
• Loss of appetite 
• Jaundice 
• Red or brown urine 
• Racing heart 
• Panting 

In severe cases, consuming onions in any form can be fatal for dogs. 

Canine consumption of Alliums often necessitates emergency blood transfusions at the vet. 

Pumpkin pie contains many of the unsafe ingredients discussed above—including sugar, spices, and dairy—that can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal distress. 

Plain pumpkin, while generally safe, can also have a laxative effect, according to Dr. Mader. 

Salt, in itself, is not toxic. In fact, dogs need a certain amount of salt to be healthy. 

But dogs are not masters of moderation—and people food like salty snack mixes are loaded with sodium that can cause gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and more in dogs. 

If, at any point, your dog consumes something harmful on this list or exhibits signs of illness and/or listed symptoms, consult your veterinarian immediately or take them to the nearest veterinary or pet emergency clinic. 

You can also call the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 for advice or get timely advice from our licensed veterinary team and leave with a personalized consult report by clicking into Chewy’s Connect with a Vet live online chat program. 

So, how do we keep our dogs safe from all the holiday foods they shouldn’t eat? The best course of action is to be diligent about keeping items out of their reach. You may also need to politely discourage guests from spoiling your pets with human food. 

However, any pet parent knows dogs can easily pull a Houdini when there’s something they want. Giving them their own Christmas food for dogs—aka a holiday treat or two—before they are tempted to steal people food is a smart action to take. 

Some of our favorite holiday treats for dogs are: 

Before giving dogs treats this holiday season, remember that their diet should be complete and balanced, with foods that come from top-quality ingredients. Treats should make up no more than 10 percent of their diet.